On Thursday, Germany's parliament voted to extend the military's powers regarding the interception and shooting down of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) amidst a rise in drone sightings linked to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Federal Diet approved an amendment to the air security law proposed by the Ministry of the Interior, which garnered support from the ruling conservatives, the Social Democrats, and the far-right opposition party AfD. The move is aimed at speeding up and simplifying defense protocols related to drones operating in German airspace.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there has been a notable increase in incidents involving drones over Germany, often with pilots remaining unidentified. Experts suspect that many of these flights are orchestrated by Russia as a part of its wider strategy. The newly amended law allows the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) to take direct action against drones when requested by civil authorities, effectively giving the military a more significant role in national air security.

This shift in policy reflects growing concerns over national security amid regional tensions and the potential threats posed by drones. With rising instances of unauthorized drone flights becoming commonplace, the German government is taking proactive steps to ensure the safety of its airspace, demonstrating a commitment to adapting military regulations to current geopolitical challenges.